Matthew Bard's power was quite peculiar. His swordsmanship was ancient, yet he attacked Ryan's weakest points with incredibly swift agility and cunning angles. The Serpent Sword transformed into a blur of light, making it impossible to discern the blade's location.
The Serpent Sword was thin and long, coated with a dark green poison. When the Sword of Vengeance clashed with it, Ryan could smell the stench of the poison.
The Sword of Vengeance slashed through the air, raising dust and tearing through space. Ryan's power had grown significantly; with the complete inheritance from Landuin, he gained not just a weapon but also full battle memories.
"Ding!" Matthew Bard did not underestimate Ryan's strength. He knew he had to defeat Ryan here, and the Serpent Sword accurately blocked above his head.
"Clang!" The Sword of Vengeance in Ryan's hand was deflected. His expression unchanged, he struck again. After merging with Landuin's battle memories, Ryan's swordsmanship had evolved. Previously blending softness and rigidity with a focus on rhythm, his current attacks were more fluid and seamless. Each movement lacked any unnecessary flourish. The deflected blade traced a smooth arc through the air, descending once more.
Matthew Bard struggled to cope with Ryan's erratic strikes. Ryan's footsteps were light, and he launched six consecutive attacks in the air, each faster than the last. His wrist strength increased steadily, surrounded by silver flames and turbulent airflow, with lightning flickering along his blade.
Despite the ferocity, Matthew Bard responded calmly. The Serpent of Mousilon was not panicked; he effortlessly blocked and dodged Ryan's attacks with precise swordsmanship and an ancient, elaborate stance. He predicted and countered Ryan's strikes amidst a blur of afterimages.
The battle experience and techniques of thirteen Black Grail Knights infused every parry and counterattack from Matthew Bard. After six consecutive blocks, Ryan knew he couldn't defeat him this way. He stepped back, gathering a whirlwind of energy around his sword hand.
"Lunar Radiance!"
With a fierce lunge, Ryan's Sword of Vengeance slashed from lower right to upper left, casting a pure, lake-like arc of light. Caught off guard, Matthew Bard barely blocked it, forced to retreat with a groan.
The second strike followed immediately, the blade descending from the center. Ryan roared, "Haa!"
Matthew Bard sidestepped like a phantom, almost perfectly evading Ryan's second strike. He sneered and thrust the Serpent Sword at Ryan's throat, the blade slicing through the air, eager to drink his blood.
Ryan quickly withdrew his sword, releasing the hilt with his left hand to grab Matthew Bard's shoulder and press down forcefully. The sound of bones cracking followed.
"Snap!" The Serpent Sword's blade shifted as Matthew Bard lost balance. His attack was thwarted, and the loss of balance pained the Black Knight. He swung a heavy punch at Ryan's chest.
Ryan's ribs cracked.
"Ugh!" Both men grunted in pain, each stepping back. Ryan adjusted his breathing, glaring at Matthew Bard, raising the Sword of Vengeance to signal the duel's continuation.
"The Serpent of Mousilon, huh?" The champion of the Lady of the Lake felt the pain in his chest, realizing Matthew Bard's strength. This championship duel wouldn't be easy.
"It's not over yet." Matthew Bard's face was grim. The Serpent of Mousilon seemed more relaxed than Ryan. He raised his sword and chuckled, "I expected you to be strong, but not this strong. But it doesn't matter. I'll still defeat you and kill you. I heard Sulia has your child? Too bad he'll soon be fatherless!"
"I think it's a shame too," Ryan replied with a smile. "The Lich King Arkhan invested so much in you, but he'll soon lose his protégé. What a failed investment!"
"Good! Let's see who's the failed investment!"
The battle resumed. Ryan and Matthew Bard fought with reckless abandon, unleashing their full power. Ryan's relentless attacks contrasted with Matthew Bard's desperate evasion. When unable to dodge, he employed an elegant footwork to avoid Ryan's strikes and immediately countered with the Serpent Sword, aiming for vulnerable spots like the armor, wrist, armpit, or throat.
Both fighters were evenly matched.
Ryan observed Matthew Bard's footwork, recognizing the Lich King Arkhan's influence in his swordsmanship and movements. Historical records in Brettonia mentioned the Nicohara Desert and related matters.
Even as an opponent, Ryan understood why Arkhan took in Matthew Bard. He possessed exceptional talent and physique.
Ryan could comprehend Matthew Bard's motivations.
This was a prince's revenge tale led by the undead.
Many viewed this mad Serpent as despicable, and Ryan shared that sentiment.
But from Matthew Bard's perspective, was his revenge wrong?
Abandoned by Laune, left to die in the wild, Matthew Bard's desire for revenge was understandable.
Taken in by Arkhan, the Lich King raised him with care, teaching him everything. Joining the undead to repay this debt—was that wrong?
Once a renowned ranger knight, known for his virtues and martial skills, discovering the true form of the Lady of the Lake and her schemes shattered his faith. Seeking to liberate the country from lies—was that wrong?
From these three points alone, Matthew Bard's actions were reasonable. He didn't do anything wrong. If his story were told from his perspective, it would be a fascinating tale. A lowly, abandoned child, a duke's son, the Lich King's protégé—embarking on a revenge journey for retribution, gratitude, and to expose the Lady of the Lake's true form. It could be an excellent story with the decaying noble system and dark serfdom of the knightly kingdom making a compelling antagonist.
This story could become a new book, Ryan thought. It could be titled "Bloodline of the Kingdom."
Unfortunately, he faced Ryan, the Grey Knight Primarch, champion of the Lady of the Lake, and guardian of the current order. Ryan couldn't allow Matthew Bard to overthrow the nation or complete his revenge. The living and the dead couldn't coexist; they were on opposing sides.
From Matthew Bard's viewpoint, his revenge was justified, but from Ryan's perspective, this Serpent must die!
Confronting Matthew Bard's terrifying power, Ryan's battle spirit soared. His black hair glowed golden, and his bloodstained armor still shone brightly. Charging towards the Serpent of Mousilon, Ryan's battle cry resonated like a strange melody, his blade forming a fierce arc towards Matthew Bard.
With the Serpent Sword in hand, Matthew Bard was equally determined. Cursing Ryan, he lunged forward without hesitation.
In mid-air, they clashed, swords striking with sparks and lightning. Amidst their duel, the clanging of metal echoed continuously.
Ryan began concentrating all his psychic energy. Silver flames and storms swirled around him as the Lady of the Lake's champion leapt into the air.
The Serpent Sword followed, Matthew Bard leaping up, enveloped in the undead's dark energy. Within the murky black smoke, he grew stronger. Surrounded by a red, bloody aura, they clashed, entangling and falling into the crater below. The onlookers saw them like intertwined flamingos, exchanging blows as they descended.
Amidst the dust, a loud bang erupted. Two figures exploded apart, rapidly retreating to dissipate the force.
Matthew Bard roared in anger and frustration. Despite pushing his power to the limit, he still felt inferior to Ryan. He didn't know what inheritance Ryan had received from Landuin, but its strength was palpable. The Serpent Sword's deadly strikes, enough to kill a legendary knight instantly, were merely suppressed by Ryan. The Sword of Vengeance swung with earth-shattering momentum, dictating the battle's pace.
Matthew Bard's wild slashes left him vulnerable. After dozens of exchanges, his hands were numbed by Ryan's psychic storm, and his face was scarred by psychic flames. When the Serpent Sword was deflected, the Serpent of Mousilon retreated to protect himself.
Ryan seized the opportunity. The Lady of the Lake's champion's eyes glowed with a galaxy-like whirlpool. His form shattered into thousands of sparkling fragments.
The next moment, these fragments converged before Matthew Bard. Ryan raised his sword high, aiming at Matthew Bard's chest, and thrust down with a furious roar.
"Shhh!" The Sword of Vengeance pierced the cursed black armor, burning silver flames through Matthew Bard's body. The psychic lightning rampaged inside, destroying his organs.
Matthew Bard's scream was deafening. The pain of the Sword of Vengeance inside him drove him mad. The handsome Serpent of Mousilon's face contorted in agony. In his frenzy, he raised the Serpent Sword, aiming to pierce Ryan's chest!
This lunatic!
Ryan quickly withdrew his blade, retreating. Even so, his shoulder was pierced twice by the Serpent Sword.
Ignoring his wounds, Ryan sensed the poison in him. His psychic energy protected his body, forcing the Lady of the Lake's champion to kneel. Ryan immediately focused his energy to expel the toxin, preventing it from spreading through his bloodstream.
The ground rippled like water, and a strong wind blew. Ryan looked up with effort.
Matthew Bard clutched his chest, but the wound from the Sword of Vengeance continued to bleed. The Serpent of Mousilon's face showed panic amidst his struggle, his long and painful scream hinting at something else.
His body was collapsing; his heart pierced. As a human, Matthew Bard knew his revenge would end if this continued.
"No! I can't let everything end here!" In madness, Matthew Bard made a decision. He took out a vial of red liquid emitting an eerie black aura from his clothing, uncorked it, and drank it in one gulp.
"What is this?!" Ryan's eyes widened.
A blood-red mist enveloped Matthew Bard. His face paled, his eyes turned blood-red, and his golden hair became white.
His power grew stronger, the wound on his chest slowly healing. Gasping for breath and enduring immense pain, Matthew Bard stood up.
"Revenge is everything to me," Matthew Bard's voice was now dry and raspy. He looked up, locking eyes with Ryan, "So I cannot fail! I will not fail!"
"For this, I am willing to give up my humanity!"
Ryan watched in shock as Matthew Bard transformed before his eyes. His presence exuded a sinister, almost otherworldly power, far surpassing what Ryan had faced before.
Matthew Bard's power surged. The ground beneath him cracked, and the air around him seemed to distort. His sword, now pulsating with a dark, blood-red energy, gleamed menacingly.
Ryan quickly steadied himself, knowing the battle had reached a critical point. He could feel the venom coursing through his veins, but his psychic energy fought to contain it. The Lady of the Lake's champion had no choice but to confront this new, terrifying form of Matthew Bard.
The air crackled with energy as they faced off once more. Ryan's silver flames and Matthew Bard's dark aura clashed violently. Each swing of their swords sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
Ryan's attacks were relentless, his movements fluid and precise, each strike aimed to exploit any opening. But Matthew Bard, now more powerful and agile, countered with equal ferocity. The Serpent Sword, coated with dark energy, met Ryan's Sword of Vengeance in a symphony of sparks and flashes of light.
Despite his transformation, Matthew Bard's mind was clear. He had accepted the consequences of drinking the potion. He knew his humanity was slipping away, replaced by something darker and more powerful. But to him, it was a necessary sacrifice for his revenge.
Ryan, on the other hand, felt his strength waning. The poison was taking its toll, and his psychic energy was being stretched thin. He couldn't let Matthew Bard's sacrifice be in vain. With every ounce of his remaining strength, he channeled his energy into one final, decisive attack.
With a roar, Ryan lunged forward, his sword aimed at Matthew Bard's heart. At the same moment, Matthew Bard swung his blade, aiming for Ryan's throat. The two warriors collided in a blinding flash of light and darkness.
When the dust settled, both men stood motionless, their swords embedded in each other's bodies. Ryan's Sword of Vengeance had pierced Matthew Bard's heart, while the Serpent Sword had cut deep into Ryan's throat.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a final, defiant look, Matthew Bard collapsed, his body lifeless. Ryan, clutching his bleeding throat, fell to his knees. He could feel the poison spreading, but he had no regrets. He had protected his kingdom, and avenged the fallen.
As Ryan's vision began to fade, he heard the distant sound of battle cries and the clash of steel. His allies were still fighting, still resisting the forces of darkness. With his last breath, he whispered a prayer to the Lady of the Lake, hoping his sacrifice would inspire them to victory.
The battlefield grew silent as Ryan's body fell to the ground. The champions of both sides had fallen, but their legacy would endure. In the end, it was not just a battle of strength, but a battle of wills, of sacrifices made for a greater cause.
Ryan's sacrifice became a symbol of hope for his people, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always a light that can guide them through. And though Matthew Bard's story ended in tragedy, it too served as a testament to the power of determination and the lengths one would go for revenge.
The war was far from over, but the battle of kings had come to a close, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for generations to come.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]